Built for Tomorrow 1

Built for Tomorrow 1

OBJECTIVES Develop an understanding of how high quality commercial seating is built for safety and durability. Learn what makes a chair comfortable. Understand what drives the cost of the furniture. Create an environment for owners and end users that is safe and avoid product liability issues. 2

Is all commercial furniture the same? Intended use Price vs features Expected lifespan Raw materials Shifts per day Demographics Maintenance programs 3

Form follows function. Louis Sullivan 4

How is comfort achieved? 5

How is comfort achieved? How comfortable do you expect furniture to be? Comfort is driven by two factors: 6

Geometry 7

Seat Height Counter Height & Bar Height Stools: 24" vs. 30" Eye Contact improves Counter height is easier to access 8

Geometry As stated by Henry Dreyfuss and Associates in the Measure of Man and Woman, Human Factors in Design: Seating must have specific dimensions to be comfortable and appropriate. 9

Suspension Systems for Seating When designing or specifying seating, one must consider: Cost Durability Actual Use Life Space Fire Codes 10

Suspension Systems for Seating Four Types: Spring Foam on deck Webbing Strapping 11

Types of Seats SPRING FOAM SEAT & SINUOUS SPRING FOUNDATION Webbing SINUOUS SPRING SEAT 12

Suspension Foam is a major component of most suspension systems. Two important measures of foam quality: Density & IFD or ILD FOAM SEAT & SINUOUS SPRING FOUNDATION 13

Suspension Density Direct measure of quality How much a cubic foot weighs Minimum commercial standard for a seat is 1.8 lbs. Weight is created as a ratio between material and air 14

Suspension Systems ILD/IFD ILD Indention Load Deflection also known as compression or Indention Force Deflection Measure the softness of the material by compressing the foam by a % using a 50 square inch disc. -Average seat is 24-30 -Firm seat is 30-36 - Very thin seats my be up to 45. 15

Foam is a Common Component Seating will often use several types of foam depending upon where it will be used: For example, a seat back will require a lower density and ILD than a seat. Why? Foam can be layered with different types of foam or fiber material, like Dacron. 16

Quiz You have two sample chairs sitting in your office. How would you be able to tell the difference? Why does it matter? Chair #1: 2.3 Density 45 ILD Seat Chair #2: 1.4 Density 45 ILD Seat 17

Furniture Cost What are the cost drivers in furniture? 18

THE 6 F S 19

Fabric What is the real cost? Fabric - A yard is not always a yard. Yield is what matters. Type of fabric impacts yield. Waste caused by repeats Where is it made vs. the furniture? Flame retardant? 20

Frame Mortise and Tenon Dowel Joints Corner Blocking Species types Finish types Joinery Glides, casters Corner Blocking Solid vs glue up 21

Frame Type of construction: - Solid wood vs. veneer - Solid wood vs. the glue up process - Engineered board, such as core or plywood Bentwood vs. cut wood Species Wood quality Construction systems Solid wood, glue up, plywood 22

Frame The wood industry is governed by the National Hardwood Lumber Association. They set the standard for the number of defects and color range of lumber. These ranges set raw material costs for vendors. The lower the rating, the lower the cost. Generally, it is more costly to manufacture a table or chair in natural than in a walnut stain. Grades of wood: FES, Common 1, Common 2 There can be as much as 100% difference in material cost between FES and Common 2 Wood quality can impact cost as it relates to finish. Often lower, darker finishes will allow a manufacturer to use lower quality wood. 23

Finish Wood finish Nitrocellulose Conversion Varnish Polyurethane Ultra Violet Why does a manufacturer choose one finish over another? Number of steps Environment Dry time Ease of repair Durability 24

Freight An enormous percentage of the final cost: Inbound freight getting materials to the factory Outbound freight from the factory to the client Freight included programs LTL vs truck load, minimum shipping charges Distance drives cost Cost per mile Risk of damage Type of packaging required, both material and labor Cost of unpacking and waste removal 25

Franchise Big name designers may earn large royalties which impact price These products usually deliver, the finest raw materials and highly detailed workmanship. How might a knock off not live up to your expectations? 26

Liability in today s world Cost of Product Liability: Time Money Reputation Important steps owners should take: 1. Create a maintenance schedule and document it 2. Inspect the furniture on a regular basis 3. Remove broken items or repair 27

Closing Develop an understanding of how high quality commercial furniture is built for durability Learn different methods that make seating comfortable Understand what drives the cost of furniture How to avoid liability and create a safe installation for your client 28

Conclusion Questions? This CEU is registered with the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC) for continuing education credits. This credit will be accepted by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), International Interior Designers Association (IIDA) and Interior Designers of Canada (IDC). The content included is not deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by IDCEC of any material or construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods and services should be directed to the instructor or provider of this CEU. This program is registered for one CEU value. The IDCEC class-code is: 102496 This CEU will be reported on your behalf to IDCEC and you will receive an email notification. Please log in and complete the electronic survey for this CEU. Certificates of completion will be automatically issued once you have submitted the online survey for this CEU. Attendees who do not belong to ASID, IIDA or IDC and do not have a unique IDCEC number will be provided with a Certificate of Completion after this CEU. 29